Unreliable Narrator: a Technique in Writing

What is an unreliable narrator?

An unreliable narrator is a storytelling device in which the narrator provides an account that lacks credibility, often due to personal biases, mental instability, or intentional deception. This type of narrator presents a perspective that cannot be taken at face value, forcing the reader to question the accuracy and truthfulness of the narrative. Unreliable narrators add complexity and depth to a story by challenging the reader’s perceptions and encouraging active interpretation of the text.

The concept of the unreliable narrator can be traced back to ancient literature, such as the works of Homer and Chaucer, where narrators were not always trustworthy. However, the term “unreliable narrator” was first coined by literary critic Wayne C. Booth in his 1961 book “The Rhetoric of Fiction.” Booth argued that some narrators are inherently untrustworthy due to their limited knowledge, personal involvement, or lack of insight.

The use of unreliable narrators gained prominence in the 20th century, particularly in the works of modernist and postmodernist authors. Writers such as William Faulkner, Vladimir Nabokov, and Kazuo Ishiguro have employed this technique to explore themes of subjectivity, identity, and the nature of truth. By presenting a story through the eyes of an unreliable narrator, these authors challenge readers to actively engage with the text and draw their conclusions about the events and characters portrayed.

Today, unreliable narrators are a popular and effective storytelling device across various genres, from literary fiction to psychological thrillers and mystery novels. As readers become more accustomed to this technique, writers continue to find innovative ways to use unreliable narrators to create compelling and thought-provoking narratives.

Types of Unreliable Narrators

Unreliable narrators can be categorized into several distinct types, each with their characteristics and underlying reasons for their lack of credibility. Understanding these types can help readers identify unreliable narrators and interpret their stories more effectively.

1. Naively unreliable narrators: These narrators often need to be more experienced, innocent, or lacking in knowledge, which limits their ability to provide an accurate account of events. Due to their naivety, they may need to be more precise in situations, draw incorrect conclusions, or omit critical information. Examples include child narrators, such as Scout Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, or narrators with limited life experience, like Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.
2. Morally unreliable narrators: Morally unreliable narrators have questionable ethics or values that color their perception of events and characters. They may justify their actions, downplay their faults, or present a biased view of the world based on their moral compass. Examples include Humbert Humbert in Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita,” who tries to rationalize his predatory behavior, and Amy Dunne in Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl,” who manipulates the narrative to justify her actions.
3. Mentally unstable unreliable narrators: These narrators suffer from mental illnesses, delusions, or psychological disorders that distort their perception of reality. They may experience hallucinations, paranoia, or memory lapses that make their accounts unreliable. Examples include the unnamed narrator in “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, who descends into madness, or Pat Peoples in “The Silver Linings Playbook” by Matthew Quick, whose bipolar disorder affects his interpretation of events.
4. Deceptive or manipulative unreliable narrators: These narrators intentionally mislead or manipulate the reader for personal gain or to conceal the truth. They may lie, withhold information, or present a carefully crafted image of themselves or others to control the narrative. Examples include the narrator in Agatha Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” who hides their involvement in the crime, or Bret Easton Ellis’s “American Psycho,” who presents a glamorous facade while concealing his violent nature.

It’s important to note that unreliable narrators may exhibit characteristics from multiple categories and may be unreliable due to a combination of factors. By identifying the unreliable narrator type and understanding their motivations, readers can better navigate the story’s complexities and uncover the underlying truths.

Characteristics of Unreliable Narrators

Unreliable narrators possess distinct characteristics that set them apart from trustworthy narrators. By recognizing these traits, readers can identify unreliable narrators and better understand the story’s complexities.

1. Contradiction between narrator’s words and actions: Unreliable narrators often exhibit a discrepancy between what they say and what they do. They may claim certain beliefs or values but act in ways that contradict those assertions. For example, a narrator may profess honesty while repeatedly lying or withholding information. This inconsistency raises doubts about the narrator’s credibility and suggests that their words cannot be taken at face value.
2. Inconsistencies in the narrative: Unreliable narrators may present inconsistent or contradictory information that needs to be more consistent throughout the story. They may provide conflicting accounts of events, change their opinions or attitudes without explanation, or offer details that do not align with other narrative elements. These inconsistencies can be subtle or overt, but they undermine the narrator’s reliability and prompt readers to question the story’s accuracy.
3. Limited or distorted perspective: Unreliable narrators often have a restricted view of the world. They may be biased by their personal experiences, emotions, or beliefs, which color their interpretation of events and characters. They may also need more knowledge or understanding, leading them to draw incorrect conclusions or make faulty assumptions. This limited perspective can result in a balanced portrayal of the story, requiring readers to look beyond the narrator’s account to uncover the truth.
4. Questionable motives or biases: Unreliable narrators may have ulterior motives or biases that influence their storytelling. They may have a vested interest in presenting themselves or others in a particular light, or a desire for revenge, self-preservation, or personal gain may drive them. These questionable motives can lead the narrator to manipulate or withhold information, cast doubt on the actions or intentions of other characters, or present a one-sided view of events.

By looking for these characteristics, readers can identify unreliable narrators and approach their stories critically. Recognizing the presence of an unreliable narrator can add depth and complexity to the reading experience, as it challenges readers to actively engage with the text and draw their conclusions about the events and characters portrayed.

Effects on the Reader

The use of an unreliable narrator can profoundly impact the reader’s experience, engaging them in a deeper, more active reading process. By presenting a narrative that cannot be taken at face value, unreliable narrators create a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity that draws readers into the story and challenges them to uncover the truth.

1. Creates suspense and mystery: Unreliable narrators often withhold information, provide contradictory accounts, or hint at hidden truths, creating a sense of suspense and mystery. Readers are compelled to keep reading to unravel the secrets and uncertainties presented by the narrator. The tension between what the narrator reveals and what they conceal can drive the story forward and keep readers engaged as they piece together the true nature of events and characters.
2. Encourages active reading and interpretation: Unreliable narrators force readers to become active participants in the story rather than passive recipients of information. Readers must constantly question the narrator’s credibility, interpret their words and actions, and look for clues that may reveal the truth. This active reading process encourages readers to engage with the text more profoundly, drawing conclusions and forming interpretations of the story.
3. Challenges the reader’s perceptions and assumptions: Unreliable narrators often challenge readers’ perceptions and beliefs about characters, events, and the nature of truth. By presenting a narrative open to interpretation, unreliable narrators encourage readers to confront their biases and preconceptions. Readers may find themselves questioning their initial judgments or sympathies, as the narrator’s unreliability casts doubt on the very foundations of the story.
4. Adds depth and complexity to the story: The presence of an unreliable narrator adds layers of depth and complexity to a story. It allows for multiple interpretations and readings as readers grapple with the ambiguities and uncertainties presented by the narrator. This complexity can make the story more thought-provoking and emotionally resonant as readers are forced to confront the gray areas and moral ambiguities that the narrator’s unreliability exposes.

Unreliable narrators can elevate a narrative and provide a more engaging and rewarding reading experience by creating suspense, encouraging active reading, challenging perceptions, and adding depth to the story. They invite readers to become co-creators of meaning as they work to unravel the mysteries and uncertainties presented by the narrator and arrive at their own understanding of the truth.

Techniques for Crafting an Unreliable Narrator

Crafting a compelling, unreliable narrator requires a deliberate and skillful approach to storytelling. By employing specific techniques, writers can create narrators whose credibility is questionable, keeping readers engaged and invested in the story.

1. Using the first-person point of view: One of the most common techniques for creating an unreliable narrator is using a first-person point of view. By telling the story through the eyes of a single character, writers can limit the reader’s access to information and present a subjective, potentially biased perspective. First-person narration allows writers to showcase the narrator’s thoughts, feelings, and motivations, which may be at odds with their actions or the reality of the situation.
2. Employing contradictory or inconsistent statements: Unreliable narrators often make conflicting or inconsistent statements with their actions or other aspects of the story. These discrepancies can be subtle or overt, but they undermine the narrator’s credibility and raise doubts in the reader’s mind. For example, a narrator may claim to be honest while repeatedly lying, withholding information, or expressing attitudes at odds with their behavior.
3. Revealing information through other characters or sources: Another effective technique for crafting an unreliable narrator is to reveal information through other characters or sources that contradict or cast doubt on the narrator’s account. This can be achieved through dialogue, secondary characters’ observations, or external evidence that challenges the narrator’s version of events. By providing alternative perspectives or conflicting information, writers can create a sense of uncertainty and encourage readers to question the narrator’s reliability.
4. Utilizing irony and ambiguity: Irony and ambiguity are powerful tools for creating an unreliable narrator. By employing situations or statements with multiple interpretations or meanings, writers can develop a sense of unease or uncertainty in the reader. Irony can highlight the discrepancy between the narrator’s words and the reality of the situation, while ambiguity can leave readers questioning the true nature of events or characters. By leaving room for interpretation and multiple readings, writers can encourage readers to actively engage with the text and draw their conclusions.

In addition to these techniques, writers can utilize unreliable narrators’ characteristics, such as limited knowledge, personal biases, or questionable motives, to further underscore their lack of credibility. By carefully crafting the narrator’s voice, perspective, and actions, writers can create complex, enigmatic characters that keep readers guessing and engaged throughout the story.

Ultimately, the key to crafting a compelling, unreliable narrator lies in striking a balance between revealing and concealing information, creating a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty that compels readers to keep turning the pages.

Famous Examples in Literature

Many notable works throughout literary history have employed unreliable narrators to create compelling, thought-provoking stories. These examples demonstrate the effectiveness of this narrative technique and have become iconic representations of unreliable narration.

1. “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger: In this classic coming-of-age novel, the narrator, Holden Caulfield, is a teenage boy who has been expelled from his prep school. Holden’s narrative is marked by his cynical, jaded outlook on life and tendency to exaggerate or misrepresent events. His unreliability stems from his immaturity, emotional instability, and difficulty in coming to terms with the complexities of adulthood. Through Holden’s skewed perspective, Salinger explores themes of innocence, alienation, and the struggles of growing up.
2. “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk: The unnamed narrator in “Fight Club” is a classic example of an unreliable narrator with a mental disorder. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the narrator has dissociative identity disorder, and his alter ego, Tyler Durden, is a projection of his repressed desires and anxieties. The narrator’s unreliability is central to the plot, as it blurs the lines between reality and delusion, forcing readers to question the nature of identity and the consequences of unchecked masculinity.
3. “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn: In this psychological thriller, the story is told from the alternating perspectives of Nick Dunne and his wife, Amy. Both narrators are unreliable, each with secrets, lies, and hidden agendas. As the story progresses, it becomes clear that neither Nick nor Amy can be trusted, and their conflicting accounts create a sense of uncertainty and suspense. Flynn’s unreliable narration keeps readers guessing until the very end, challenging their perceptions of truth, marriage, and the nature of identity.
4. “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry James: This Gothic novella is narrated by a young governess who is hired to care for two children at a remote estate. As the story unfolds, the governess becomes convinced that the children are being influenced by the evil ghosts of two former employees. However, her reliability is called into question by her increasing paranoia, obsession, and potential mental instability. James’s narrative needs to be more transparent about the reality of the ghostly apparitions and the true nature of the governess’s experiences.

These examples showcase how unreliable narrators can create compelling, multi-layered stories that challenge readers’ perceptions and assumptions. By employing unreliable narration, these authors have crafted engaging and thought-provoking narratives, leaving a lasting impact on readers and cementing their place in literary history.

Challenges and Considerations

While unreliable narrators can be a powerful storytelling tool, writers must consider several challenges and considerations when employing this technique.

1 Maintaining credibility and reader engagement: One of the main challenges of writing an unreliable narrator is keeping the reader engaged and willing to suspend disbelief. Readers may become disengaged or lose interest in the story if the narrator’s unreliability is revealed too early or overtly. Writers must strike a delicate balance between hinting at the narrator’s unreliability and maintaining their credibility enough to keep readers invested in the narrative.

To achieve this balance, writers can use subtle clues and gradual revelations to build tension and anticipation. They can also create a compelling voice and personality for the narrator, making them more engaging and relatable to readers, even as their reliability is questioned.

2. Avoiding confusion or frustration for the reader: Another challenge of using an unreliable narrator is the potential for confusion or frustration on the reader’s part. Readers may become lost or disoriented if the narrator’s unreliability is too convoluted or inconsistent, leading to a frustrating reading experience.

To avoid this, writers must deliberate and strategically use unreliable narration. They should provide enough clues and information for readers to piece together the truth while maintaining ambiguity and uncertainty. Writers can also use other characters or external sources to provide alternative perspectives or to corroborate or contradict the narrator’s account, helping to guide readers through the complexity of the narrative.

3. Ensuring the unreliable narrator serves the story’s purpose: Finally, writers must ensure that the use of an unreliable narrator serves the overall purpose and themes of the story. The unreliable narrator should not be used simply to create confusion or misdirection but rather to explore deeper questions of truth, perception, and the human experience.

Writers should consider how the narrator’s unreliability contributes to the story’s themes and messages. Does it highlight the subjectivity of memory and experience? Does it expose the consequences of self-deception or the limitations of human understanding? Writers can create a more meaningful and resonant narrative by ensuring that the unreliable narrator is integral to the story’s purpose.

Crafting a compelling, unreliable narrator requires careful planning, skillful execution, and a deep understanding of the story’s goals and themes. By keeping these challenges and considerations in mind, writers can harness the power of unreliable narration to create engaging, thought-provoking stories that leave a lasting impact on readers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, unreliable narrators are a compelling storytelling device that can add depth, complexity, and intrigue to a narrative. By presenting a story through the eyes of a narrator whose credibility is questionable, writers can create a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity that engages readers and challenges their perceptions.

Throughout this exploration of unreliable narrators, we have examined the various types of unreliable narrators, including those who are naively misguided, morally compromised, mentally unstable, or deliberately deceptive. We have also identified the key characteristics of unreliable narrators, such as contradictions between their words and actions, inconsistencies in their narratives, limited or distorted perspectives, and questionable motives or biases.

Furthermore, we have discussed unreliable narrators’ effects on readers, including creating suspense and mystery, encouraging active reading and interpretation, challenging assumptions and perceptions, and adding depth and complexity to the story. We have also explored the techniques writers can use to craft compelling, unreliable narrators, such as employing a first-person point of view, using contradictory or inconsistent statements, revealing information through other characters or sources, and utilizing irony and ambiguity.

The significance of unreliable narrators in storytelling cannot be overstated. By subverting readers’ expectations and forcing them to question the nature of truth and perception, unreliable narrators can create a more engaging and thought-provoking reading experience. They can also be a powerful tool for exploring complex themes and ideas, such as the subjectivity of memory, the consequences of self-deception, and the limitations of human understanding.

Writing with unreliable narrators can be challenging but rewarding. By embracing the techniques and considerations outlined in this discussion, writers can craft compelling, multi-layered narratives that leave a lasting impact on readers. Whether through subtlety and nuance or overt misdirection and deception, unreliable narrators offer writers a wealth of creative possibilities to explore.

In a world where the nature of truth and reality is increasingly called into question, the role of unreliable narrators in storytelling has never been more relevant or essential. By challenging readers to question their assumptions and engage with the complexities of the human experience, unreliable narrators can help us to understand ourselves and the world around us better. As such, they will undoubtedly continue to be a vital and enduring presence in literature for generations to come.

We have many more writing tips on our site you may be interested in. If you want to try your had at writing an unreliable narrator read our 64 Captivating Unreliable Narrator Writing Prompts to Ignite Your Imagination.